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GEM Supports Gig Workers Bill 2025

The Malaysian E-Hailing Alliance (GEM) has expressed its full support and warm welcome for the Gig Workers’ Bill 2025, which was presented for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. The bill aims to provide protection and recognize the role of 1.2 million workers in the sector.

GEM stated that the bill marks a historic moment, as it is the first time that over 1.2 million gig workers are officially recognized under the law.

It added that this move opens a new chapter in protecting workers’ rights and welfare, while simultaneously creating a fairer, more sustainable, and inclusive employment ecosystem.

“Among the key highlights is the official definition of a gig worker, which will eliminate ambiguities regarding their status.

“In addition, the bill also guarantees income and fair payment rates through a negotiation mechanism,” GEM said.

Other focuses include the establishment of a dispute resolution tribunal to protect gig workers from exploitation.

“The bill also introduces mandatory social protection to strengthen the safety net for gig workers and their families,” it added.

In the same statement, GEM also expressed its appreciation to the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) for conducting over 37 engagement sessions with all relevant parties, including gig workers, platform providers, trade unions, government agencies, and state governments.

It stated that this inclusive approach reflects the spirit of Malaysia Madani, which upholds the principles of social justice and inclusivity.

Furthermore, a total of 487 unions, associations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), representing over 1.42 million workers, have also expressed their full support for the bill.

“Malaysia is now set to be among the first 15 countries in the world to provide a clear definition for gig workers,” GEM said.

Yesterday, Harian Metro reported that the Gig Workers’ Bill 2025, aimed at providing protection and recognizing the role of 1.2 million workers in the sector, was presented for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Human Resources Minister Steven Sim, while presenting the bill, stated that the second and third readings will be conducted during the current parliamentary session.

2025 Ducati Multistrada V2 Arrives in Malaysia

The all-new 2025 Ducati Multistrada V2 has arrived in Malaysia.

Ducati Malaysia hosted an exclusive preview of the highly anticipated 2025 Panigale V2 and Multistrada V2 at the Ducati flagship showroom, marking a new chapter in Ducati’s middleweight range. The event, held ahead of the Naza Automania Vol.3 weekend, welcomed invited top Ducatisti, DOC Malaysia members and dealer network representatives for an up-close first look at the latest evolution of two of Ducati’s most celebrated models.

“The Panigale V2 and Multistrada V2 range embody the perfect balance of innovation, performance, and style, reaffirming our commitment to making the Ducati experience more accessible to Malaysian riders. We remain deeply appreciative of the support from our dealers and the Malaysian riding community as we continue to grow together,” said Rizal Jailan, CEO of Naza Automotive Holdings.

To recap, the 2025 Multistrada V2 features the new 90° V-Twin (Ducati calls it the “L-Twin”) engine which replaces the Superquardro.

Engine highlights

The new 890cc V2 (90º V-Twin) engine it entirely new, producing 115 hp at 10,750 RPM and 92 Nm at 8,250 RPM.

The valvetrain features spring valve actuation like that in the Granturismo V4 engine, as opposed the Ducati’s synonymous Desmo valvetrain.
As such, valve clearance interval is stretched to 45,000 km.

Lighter, 6-speed transmission with Ducati Quick Shift 2.0.
These measures mean the new engine weighs in at only 54.4 kg, which is 9.4 kg lighter than the Superquardro.

Motorcycle highlights

The 2025 Multistrada V2 redefines Ducati’s mid-size crossover with a sharper focus on agility, comfort, and accessibility. Now 18 kg lighter at just 199 kg dry, it blends the character of a twin-cylinder with true everyday versatility. The new design refines the iconic Multistrada silhouette with a shorter “beak,” integrated aerodynamics, and improved ergonomics, while a redesigned seat and adjustable heights (down to 790 mm on the V2 S) ensure comfort for every rider. Its aggressive Full-LED lighting, slimmer proportions, and improved passenger accommodations make it as stylish as it is practical for commuting, touring, or exploring backroads.

The aluminium monocoque chassis and long-travel suspension balance on-road precision with off-road capability. The V2 S introduces semi-active Skyhook Suspension, electronic preload adjustment, and a premium electronics suite including multiple Riding Modes, customizable Infomodes, smartphone connectivity, and advanced safety aids like Cornering ABS, DTC, DWC, and Brake Light EVO. Together, these upgrades make the Multistrada V2 the most refined, intuitive, and versatile adventure-sport Ducati yet.

Price

The 2025 Ducati Multistrada V2 is priced from RM112,000 (for the standard version).

Photo gallery

2025 Ducati Panigale V2 Arrives in Malaysia

The all-new 2025 Ducati Panigale V2 has arrived in Malaysia.

To recap, the 2025 Panigale V2 features the new 90° V-Twin (Ducati calls it the “L-Twin”) engine which replaces the Superquardro.

You maybe interested to know about the Evolution of Ducati V-Twin Engines.

Engine highlights

The new 890cc V2 (90º V-Twin) engine it entirely new, producing 120hp and 93.6Nm compared to 148hp and 104.4Nm.
It features Intake Variable Timing (IVT), which adjusts intake timing up to 52°, to deliver smooth torque at low revs, sharp response in the mid-range, and exhilarating performance at high rpm.

Over 70% of maximum torque is available from 3,000 rpm, with more than 80% sustained between 3,500 and 11,000 rpm.
The fat, low- and mid-range RPM torque delivery brings back the traditional V2 torque delivery.

The valvetrain features spring valve actuation like that in the Granturismo V4 engine, as opposed the Ducati’s synonymous Desmo valvetrain.
As such, valve clearance interval is stretched to 45,000 km.

DLC-coated rockers, chain-driven cams, and hollow intake valves save an extra 5% of weight.
Also like the Granturismo V4, the new V-Tw… L-Twin’s cylinder liners are aluminium.

These measures mean the new engine weighs in at only 54.4 kg, which is 9.4 kg lighter than the Superquardro.
The racing exhaust system pack liberates 126hp and reduces a further 4.5kg.

Motorcycle highlights

The 2025 Ducati Panigale V2 is Ducati’s lightest twin-cylinder supersport model. Drawing from Ducati’s twin-cylinder legacy, it blends exhilarating speed with reduced effort, allowing riders of all levels to ride faster with confidence. Its styling borrows from the Panigale V4, with sharp LED lighting, sculpted aerodynamics, and a MotoGP-inspired tail that combines elegance with aggression. Ergonomic refinements, including a reshaped tank and improved airflow management, enhance comfort while preserving precise front-end feel.

The new aluminium monocoque chassis, dual-sided swingarm, and fully adjustable suspension balance agility with stability, while the V2 S raises the bar with Öhlins suspension, Brembo M50 brakes, and a 176 kg dry weight. A six-axis IMU underpins advanced electronics (Cornering ABS, DTC, DWC, EBC and Quick Shift 2.0) controlled through four Riding Modes and displayed via a new 5” TFT with race-derived interfaces. The result is a sharper, lighter, and more approachable Panigale that delivers the thrill of a superbike on both road and track.

Price

The 2025 Ducati Panigale V2 is priced from RM125,000 (for the standard V2).

Photo gallery

Brake Pads Ordered Online Found to Contain Asbestos

We have said many times over: Do not ever, EVER, compromise when it comes to safety-related components and products. This is especially true when ordering cheap parts from online sellers. Case in point, the Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations (FEMA) have found brake pads that include asbestos being sold through AliExpress.

The brake pads and brakes shoes (for drum brakes) are produced by Tanaki and Zhangxingyue. All the products noted in the action are produced in China, and all of the products fail to meet REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) regulations. These guidelines aim to protect consumers from coming into contact with harmful substances and to protect the environment.

The substance is great for absorbing heat therefore its use in brake pads, and is fireproof hence its use in fireproof suits, but its dust is dangerous when inhaled as it causes mesothelioma in the lungs. Mesothelioma is a cancer that starts as a growth of abnormal cells from a thin layer of tissue that covers many internal organs. Asbestos dust cannot be flushed out, hence will stay in the lungs for a long time to come.

The only advice we can provide at the moment is to insist on asbestos-free brake pads and shoes when you replace them. Apart from that, stay away and do not inhale brake dust when the mechanic or you clean your motorcycle’s brakes with compressed air.

Asbestos has been banned in many countries around the world, including the European Union and Malaysia since 1999. However, the bans cover different aspects of the usage of asbestos. For example, while the use of asbestos has been banned in the U.S. and Europe, Malaysia only banned the substance from building materials in government hospitals, clinics, schools, and buildings. As of 2025, the Malaysian authorities is still working towards a total ban.

Motorcycle Brakes 101 – The Pads

Your bike may be equipped with the best master cylinder, hoses, and calipers, but it all ultimately comes down to the brake pads to slow your bike down. This is the component that provides the friction when it grips the brake disc, and converting kinetic energy (movement) to thermal energy (heat).

Brake pad friction ratings

HH-rated pads are the strongest brake pads one can buy, but do you have any idea what those two Hs stand for? The letters indicate the friction rating and specifically pertain to the puck’s coefficient of friction, with the first letter quantifying the CoF at a normal operating temperature and the second letter listing the pad’s CoF at an extremely high temperature of 340° Celsius. G and H ratings are common for motorcycle brakes, with a G-rating offering a CoF between 0.45 and 0.55. H is the highest rating available and corresponds to a CoF of 0.55 or greater.

Brake pad material

ORGANIC

These pads are devoid of metal content (and asbestos) and instead blend rubber, glass, or Kevlar materials into a heat-resistant binding resin. Organic pads are the softest and thus the quietest option available and are exceptionally easy on rotors. They’re also easy on your wallet. Downsides include shorter service life (compared to semi-metallic or sintered pads) and fading with aggressive use. Organic pads are most commonly found on older (pre-1990s) bikes, smaller modern bikes, and for rear applications on some larger modern machines.

SEMI-METALLIC

These pads incorporate some metallic material (usually 20 to 40 percent by volume) into the friction material to increase the pads’ friction level and durability and to improve fade-resistance under heavy use. These pads were invented as cars and bikes became faster, requiring stronger, more resilient brake systems. Semi-metallic pads are still fairly quiet, don’t score rotors as much as all-metal sintered pads, and are a popular option for a variety of bikes.

SINTERED

The name refers to the production process, which uses extreme heat and pressure to cement powdered metal (usually bronze) to the backing plate. Sintered brakes have a very high coefficient of friction and excellent heat transfer, making them ideal for aggressive use and racing. The downsides are price, increased rotor wear, and the fact that they usually require some heat to perform their best.

Motorcycle Brakes 101 – The Basics

Your motorcycle brakes have a tough job.

What’s amazing is that it does. Take the BMW S 1000 XR for example: It accelerates to 160 km/h in 6.1 seconds and 151 metres. Yet it slows to a complete stop in just 5 seconds and in less than 100 metres.

That kind of performance makes the brakes the most powerful component of a motorcycle, contrary to what many believe is the engine. Think about: The force from one or two of your fingers is enough to bring a flying motorcycle down to sane speeds in less time and distance, than the engine takes to accelerate the bike.

That impressive performance is due to the power and resilience of the modern hydraulic brake system, which is comprised of the following components.

Master cylinder

Whether operated by your right hand or your right foot, this converts mechanical force into hydraulic pressure via a lever acting on a piston that presses on a fluid. The force with which you pull the lever, the lever’s leverage ratio, and the size of the master-cylinder piston determine the amount of pressure imparted on the system, which may exceed 10.5 kg/cm².

Brake lines

These multilayer hoses transmit pressure from the master cylinder to the calipers and typically utilize a Teflon inner lining surrounded by a braided-nylon, Kevlar, or stainless-steel reinforcing layer that’s then wrapped in a protective sheathing. The stronger the hoses the better, since any expansion under pressure will reduce braking force and feel. Because rubber hoses lose their strength over time, most manufacturers recommend replacing them every four years.

Brake caliper

The brake caliper is where the multiplying power of hydraulics comes into play. Since pressure applied to a confined liquid is transmitted undiminished and with equal force to all surfaces within the system, the pressure from the master cylinder is exerted uniformly on the much larger area of the caliper pistons, increasing the force many fold.

Brake pads

If any part of the brake system deserves sympathy, it’s the pads. Their job is to convert your bike’s kinetic energy into heat by way of friction. And we want them to do it quietly and repeatedly and without getting too hot. It’s not uncommon for the brakes on an aggressively ridden streetbike to heat up to 180° Celsius, while the pads and discs on a racebike may exceed 315° Celsius.

Brake disc (or drum)

Transferring the brake pads’ resistance to motion to the wheels and on to the tires’ contact patches are the brake discs or drums. Discs are typically made from stainless steel, while drums are lined with cast iron. Both materials provide a durable, heat-resistant surface for the brake pads to press against. Modern brake discs are relieved, and or drilled, to assist in cooling and to help shed water and debris.

Brake fluid

This is the elixir that allows it all to happen. Brake fluid is responsible for transmitting force from the brake lever to the back of the brake pads. It needs to be non-compressible to effectively transmit pressure, have low viscosity to be compatible with ABS components, have good lubricity for master-cylinder and caliper pistons seals, offer corrosion resistance, and also have a very high boiling point.

Brake fluid is available in four grades: DOT 3, 4, 5, and 5.1. DOT 3, 4, and 5.1 fluids are glycol based and miscible, while DOT 5 fluid is silicone based and can’t be mixed with any other type of fluid. Glycol-based fluids are hydrophilic and will attract and absorb moisture out of the air. DOT 5 fluid is hydrophobic, but due to the repeated heating and cooling cycles and the imperfect sealing of master cylinders and calipers, all fluids will eventually ingest some quantity of water. The difference is that glycol-based fluids will pull moisture out of the air on their own while DOT 5 will not, meaning DOT 5 has a much longer service life.

If you’re thinking DOT 5 sounds really appealing right now, think again. Expense, as well as the fluid’s compressibility and viscosity, makes DOT 5 unsuitable for everyday use. So why does it exist? It was created for the military to use in vehicles that will be parked for years at a time. Harley-Davidson used DOT 5 until a decade ago but specifies DOT 4 now.

A fluid’s classification has little to do with its chemical makeup. Rather, it’s based on the fluid’s boiling point. The Department of Transportation sets minimums for each grade’s “dry” and “wet” boiling point, with the former state completely free of moisture and the latter containing 3.7 percent water as is common after a year or so of regular use. DOT 3 fluid has the lowest minimum dry boiling temperature at 205° C (140° C wet), while DOT 5.1 has the highest at 270° C (180° C wet).

As the temperature ratings above suggest, any water content in the brake fluid will reduce its boiling point. Boiling brake fluid will make your brake lever feel spongy and braking force will be diminished. This condition is known as brake fade or, more specifically, fluid fade. Replacing your brake fluid regularly (most manufacturers say every two years) will help ensure your brakes always perform their best.

Radial vs axial mount callipers

Nearly all modern sportbikes have radial-mount brake calipers, and the general consensus is that they’re better. But why? First, the difference between radial-mount brakes and axial-mount brakes: Radial brakes are secured via bolts that are parallel with the brake disc as compared to bolts that are perpendicular to the disc face (see photo at right) as on traditional brakes.

Radial mounting typically offers better caliper-to-disc alignment and is significantly more rigid than axial mounting. A more rigid setup yields better pad-to-disc contact for improved power and, more significantly, better feel at the lever.